One of the market leaders in midi buses preferred for school bus applications in India, SML Isuzu (SMLI) has made phenomenal progress in the staff transportation and tourist segments as well. Especially in recent times, the bus maker has introduced several unique models to address different sets of buyers in these segments, while also going premium with value features. As an extension to this trend, the company used the latest bus show to introduce new iterations of its buses to grab the buyers.
Talking to MOTORINDIA, Mr. Yugo Hashimoto, MD & CEO, SML Isuzu, said: “We are happy to be here at Prawaas, a platform where all our esteemed customers will be present. We are presenting our new offerings here and hope our customers will appreciate our efforts to provide practical solutions that offer the best in safety and comfort for passengers.”
Mr. Anuj Kumar Sethi, General Manager (PS &PM), SMLI, shared that the new products rightly sum up the company’s slogan ‘Towards New Horizons’. “Our new coaches are a leap ahead in terms of the built-quality, stylish ergonomical design, comfort level, safety, and least economical in operations for higher profitability”.
The all-new BH Series that was unveiled at the show featured refreshing frontal design, along with improved build quality and lower NVH levels. Offering a seating range of 28 to 38 seats, the new bus is an exemplar of superior operational economics, according to the company. “This is an ideal platform consisting of right chassis and engine for the targeted segments of staff and tourist applications, where economic operation matters. We have our focus on passenger safety, including first-in-class 3-point seatbelts”, Mr. Sethi said.
The next debutant is a longer wheelbase variant (5100 mm) of the Executive LX premium coach. This means the bus can seat 25 passengers in 2×1 seating configuration and 13 more in 2×2 arrangement. “With this variant, the Executive LX range has three wheelbase iterations for the buyers to choose depending on their application”, he noted.
Another silver lining of this product is that it is powered by a 85 kW (115 hp) engine, which offers enhanced power and torque to handle any scenario even with air-conditioning turned on.
SMLI also showcased the latest S7 bus with CNG Turbo, aimed at the expanding market of environment-friendly CNG-powered buses in metro cities. “We are racking up our share in the CNG market with new vehicles, as it is going to be more economical and preferred in cities”, he said.
He also said that new products are getting ready for market launch in the next season, especially the updated S7 platform with ‘Global Series’ front fascia and interiors, most likely with BS-VI engines.